Introduction: Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS) is associated with true aneurysms, mainly of both the pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) and gastroduodenal artery (GDA). Although rare, their potential for rupture and adverse clinical outcomes warrants analysis. Prior studies suggest high rupture rates even for smaller aneurysms under 2 cm in this setting. We performed a systematic literature review, synthesising the evidence on visceral artery aneurysms related to MAL syndrome, with a focus on descriptive analyses of aneurysm size, presentation, rupture rates, and management. Methods: Literature search was performed using (Medline, EMBASE, Emcare and CINAHL). Inclusion criteria included true aneurysms secondary to MALS with or without rupture. The cases with pseudoaneurysms, concomitant pathologies eg, pancreatitis, conservatively managed aneurysms and articles with non-granular pooled data were excluded. Cases were assessed according to demographics, clinical presentation, aneurysm diameter, aneurysm rupture and management technique. Results: 39 articles describing 72 patients were identified. Aneurysm diameter in symptomatic patients was not significantly different from asymptomatic patients {21.0 and 22.3 mm respectively, P = .84}. Ruptured aneurysms were overall smaller than non-ruptured at presentation {12.3 mm v 30.8 mm respectively, P = .02}. Patients presented with abdominal pain (75.6%), nausea/vomiting (15.6%), hypotension (33.9%), shock (20.0%) and haemodynamic collapse (8.9%). 56.9% of all cases were managed with an endovascular approach, 19.4% were managed with an open surgical approach, and 23.6% were managed hybrid. Conclusion: This review suggests visceral artery aneurysms associated with median arcuate ligament rupture at variable sizes. Despite inability to clearly correlate size and rupture risk, our data supports prompt intervention irrespective of size, given the adverse outcomes. Further research is critically needed to clarify size thresholds or other predictors to guide management.

Spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric arterial dissection with coeliac axis stenosis is rare but serious. We report a case of a 54-year-old male with coeliac axis stenosis who presented with acute superior mesenteric arterial dissection, which caused thrombosis of the branches. This is the first report of the full course of treatment using endovascular repair and laparoscopic surgery to deal with spontaneous isolated superior mesenteric arterial dissection combined with coeliac axis stenosis. This approach has been shown to be safe and effective for yielding short-term results.

Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) is the standard of care for haemodynamically-stable patients with blunt hepatic injury but it is sometimes impossible due to unfavourable vascular anatomies. This case report describes a 43-year-old male patient with abdominal pain following a motorcycle accident. Based on computed tomography (CT) findings, he was diagnosed with high-grade hepatic injury with coeliac axis stenosis (CAS) due to compression by the median arcuate ligament, and an aberrant right hepatic artery. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) demonstrated multiple high echogenic tubular and ovoid structures suggestive of active bleeding within the injured liver area. Angiography revealed unique interlobar and intrahepatic collateral vessels between the right and left hepatic arteries. Liver haemorrhages were also identified. Catheterization of the feeding arteries through the collateral pathway was unsuccessful, so a decision was made to cannulate the stenotic portion of the coeliac trunk with a 5-Fr Yashiro catheter. After several attempts, the microcatheter was successfully advanced coaxially into the common hepatic artery. Embolization was performed with a 1:2 mixture of N-butyl cyanoacrylate and iodized oil. Successful haemostasis was confirmed following TAE. CEUS helped clinicians identify active bleeding following traumatic solid organ injury. TAE was a safe and effective treatment strategy. Before performing TAE, attention should be given to the presence of CAS associated with compression by the median arcuate ligament.